U.K. birthrate hits 20 year low

[SunshineHello]

“Since 2011, the number of babies born has been on an almost constant downward trend, falling each year from 2011 to 2020 before a small rise in 2021 as pandemic restrictions were eased. The latest figures show another “considerable” decline last year, from 624,828 births to 605,479.”

This take the TFR to the lowest rate on record for the U.K. - 1.5

I wonder how much the birth rate will drop before it levels out.

The cost of housing and childcare are a major factor among my peers.

I currently have one in nursery and if I had two it would be ~ £4,000 pcm. That’s a £75,000 salary. To make a decision to do that is… complex.

Which is equally batshit. Why would they do that?

@NoPazuzu I can’t know that. It could be population control or just an experiment to see what they can do to us while we’ve learned we aren’t allowed to say anything about it

Uh huh. Not allowed to say anything about it, like you're doing right now. About the government turning people bisexual for reasons usising methods.

Fucking hell I can't believe people believe this utter bile. And those same people have children.

I haven’t said this to my child

I sure hope so! Are women getting more intelligent or are they able to make smarter choices?

Thank fuck for that. Homophobic conspiracy theories do not need to be spread.

It’s not homophobic it’s an observation. So arrogant

You keep saying the things you say aren't honophobic, across multiple threads.

But they are homophobic frequently.

You saying they aren't homophobic doesn't make it so. And nothing that poster said was arrogant.

Well I disagree because technically homophobia is fear or hate to home sexuality people whereas this is something I believe is happening. Anyway I don’t want to talk about it as it isn’t something I really care about but it keeps being brought up

You need help

@Sourcherriesarebest

Your post really struck a chord.

It's not an observation it's homophobia, and utterly baseless. I've heard more cogent theories from people off their tits on drugs.

Just because you believe it doesn't make it not homophobia. Racists might sincerely believe racist things, they're still racists.

@NoPazuzu whats homophobic about noticing the government is pushing it in schools ?

The idea that bisexuality is something that can be pushed, for one. It kind of imples it's a chocie. The idea that if it could be pushed that would be a bad thing for another. And then there's just the general spewing of homophobic conspiracy. "They're turning our children into homosexuals!" is as old as the hills, no matter how you like to dress it up. And it's something that I thought was dying in this country, but unfortunately there will always be hateful idiots to spread it.

I think bisexuality can be a choice because I’ve been told that by someone bisexual. I believe her because I know teens are more suggestible and fluid. That isn’t homophobia. The government shouldn’t do it, it’s weird. That’s not homophobia. It’s you and other people dragging this discussion with me that’s hateful

So how do you make yourself bisexual?

@NoPazuzu my friend thinks everyone is potentially bisexual and it’s whether you’re open to it when you’re young

That doesn't really answer the question but sure. Your "friend".

Sexuality isn’t a choice - however many bi sexual people in the past who were lead to believe being homosexual was wrong ignored that side of their sexuality and only had opposite sex relationships. The choice bit is mentally allowing yourself to act on your same sex desires.

Schools are pushing people to be gay or bi, they are saying it’s ok if you are. They are doing the opposite of pushing someone’s sexuality in a particular direction, telling kids being gay is wrong is pushing their sexuality in a particular direction.

Anyway, I came back to this thread not to talk to the crazy homophobic person, but because I saw something that reminded me of this thread.

A local preschool that has been going for 20+ years has closed. They have been struggling for numbers and the woman who ran it was looking to retire, no one wanted to take it over. Was interesting, most sign up when their child is 2, start going for a few sessions at 2.5, then proper preschool at 3.

the first wave of baby bust years will be hitting the preschool sector. Wonder if they will have an effect on house prices - currently our house price factors in we are close enough to a very good primary to have got a place for the last 15 or so years, assume falling birth rates will mean distances go much further out and that won’t be as big a factor anymore. (In our town there’s another primary that’s outstanding, but there’s only one road with 4 bed houses that’s guaranteed to get a place, they go for silly money compared to same sq footage elsewhere in the town, be interesting what happens when the new reality of school places starts filtering through )

to add context for the preschool, my youngest is 10, when she was transitioning from preschool to school, a friend who worked in a local preschool back then said they were closing their lists early for the following year’s 2.5 intake and could easily have offered double the places and filled them. No new preschools have opened since then, so that’s quite the early years change in 6 years.

@LimeCheesecake our primary just dropped to a one form intake instead of two. It’s meant the reception is actually „full“ for the first time in quite a few years. But even two years ago there were literally hundreds of unused primary places across Oxford.

It’s interesting for sure. I’m bucking the trend with four last two twins. It’s a logistical challenge as they all have various extra curricular stuff. Easier is some ways as the twins do the same stuff although that has taken a bit of negotiation and may not last when they all tootle off to high school. I am divorced but split childcare/ costs 50/50 with ex. We both work full time. I’m pretty sure all spare money/ time goes into Dc for both of us.

I took time out due to childcare costs and career never recovered. I have a law degree and used to specialise in tax law. Now I work for local council for about half of my old salary when you include inflation.

Whilst I love my children dearly and they are fabulous. I’d recommend to people to have 1 or 2 for a better life balance.